Getting Started: Hub Installation and Setup

Category: Getting Started / Installation

Overview

The GRIT Hub® is the "brains" of your system and should be installed first. All other GRIT devices communicate wirelessly through the Hub's secure mesh network, and all data collected from your system is stored locally within the Hub.

The GRIT App is a progressive web app (PWA) hosted locally on your Hub and accessed through your device's web browser. It is not found in the App Store. Once accessed, it can be saved to your phone's home screen as a shortcut with the same look and feel as a native app.

Hub Anatomy

1. USB-C Power Jack — Uses the included 120V-compatible 5V 4A adapter.
2. Cat-5 Ethernet Port — For hard-wired network connection.
3. QR Code Display — Shows connection info for the Hub's projected Wi-Fi and the GRIT App IP address. Press the button below the display to scroll through different QR codes.
4. Antenna — External antenna for mesh network communication.
5. IR Receiver — Used to program IR remote controls.
6. Lock, Bind, and Unlock Buttons — Physical controls for system operation.

Choosing a Location

The Hub can be installed anywhere as long as it can connect to at least one other GRIT device to form the mesh network. Keep the following in mind to avoid having to relocate it later:

• Central placement is best. The more centrally located the Hub, the better connectivity with all devices.
• Plan for your network connection. If using ethernet, place the Hub within reach of a router or switch. If using Wi-Fi, ensure the location has good signal strength.
• Account for thick barriers. Thick concrete or metal walls can weaken the mesh signal. Position the Hub central to any such barrier. For large spaces with many rooms, you may need a GRIT Mesh Xtndr to bridge long distances.
• Access to 120V power is required.

Physical Installation

Estimated time: 5 minutes

Step 1 — Mount the Hub

Attach the Hub to the wall. If wall mounting is not an option, the Hub can lay flat on its back on a high shelf.

Step 2 — Attach the Antenna

Screw on the antenna and position it pointing straight up.

Step 3 — Power On

Plug the supplied 5V 4A power adapter into the jack on the bottom of the Hub, then into a 120V wall outlet. The Hub will begin booting up (this can take up to 2 minutes). QR codes will appear on the side display once the Hub is ready for connection.

Connecting Your Hub and Accessing the GRIT App

The GRIT system does not require internet access to operate. However, in order to access your system remotely and to perform updates, internet access is required and recommended.

There are three connection methods. Choose the one that fits your setup:

Method 1 — Ethernet

Step 1 — Connect the Cable

Plug one end of an ethernet cable into your router or switch, and the other end into the jack on the bottom of the Hub.

Step 2 — Open the GRIT App

Press the button on the side of the Hub to display the GRIT App IP address and QR code. Either:

• Scan the QR code with your phone, or
• Manually enter the IP address (shown under the QR code) into your device's native browser.

Important: Use Safari on iPhones and Chrome on Android devices.

Step 3 — Create Your Account

Complete the "Create Account" form. The optional 4-digit PIN can be used for quick future logins if you toggle that option to "Yes." Press "Continue" when finished.

Step 4 — Save the App to Your Home Screen

Save the GRIT App shortcut to your home screen for easy future access.

Note: This shortcut will only work when your phone is on the same network as the Hub.

Method 2 — Personal Wi-Fi

To connect the Hub to your personal WPA2 Wi-Fi network, you must first connect through the Hub's own projected Wi-Fi, then switch the Hub over to your network.

Step 1 — Connect to the Hub's Wi-Fi

Press the Hub display button until the QR code labeled "Connect to HUB WiFi" is visible. Either:

• Scan the QR code with your phone, or
• Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings and select the network that starts with "grithub-".

Step 2 — Enter the Hub Wi-Fi Password

Enter the password: gritautomation (all one word, all lowercase).

This moves your phone from your personal internet connection to the Hub's own Wi-Fi so you can access the GRIT App.

Step 3 — Open the GRIT App

Press the Hub display button again to show the GRIT App IP address and QR code. Either:

• Scan the QR code with your phone, or
• Manually enter the IP address into your device's native browser.

Important: Use Safari on iPhones and Chrome on Android devices.

Step 4 — Create Your Account

Complete the "Create Account" form. The optional 4-digit PIN can be used for quick future logins if you toggle that option to "Yes." Press "Continue" when finished.

Step 5 — Connect the Hub to Your Wi-Fi

A pop-up will ask if you would like to connect the Hub to your personal Wi-Fi. Press "Yes."

Step 6 — Select Your Network and Enter Your Password

Select your preferred Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks. If yours is not listed, press "Refresh." Once selected, enter your Wi-Fi password.

⚠️ Enter the password carefully. If it is entered incorrectly, you will need to clear the Hub's network settings by holding the black display button for a full 20 seconds, then start the Wi-Fi connection process over from Step 1.

Step 7 — Confirm the Connection

A confirmation screen will display when the Hub has successfully switched to your personal Wi-Fi network.

Step 8 — Reconnect Your Phone

Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings and select the same network you just connected the Hub to.

Step 9 — Reopen the GRIT App

Press the Hub display button again to show the new IP address and QR code (this will have changed after switching networks). Either:

• Scan the new QR code with your phone, or
• Manually enter the new IP address into your device's native browser.

Important: Use Safari on iPhones and Chrome on Android devices.

Step 10 — Enter Your Account Information

Complete the "Create Account" form. The optional 4-digit PIN can be used for quick future logins if you toggle that option to "Yes." Press "Continue" when finished.

Step 11 — Save the App to Your Home Screen

Save the GRIT App shortcut to your home screen for easy future access.

Note: This shortcut will only work when your phone is on the same network as the Hub. Wait until this step to save the shortcut — do not save it while still connected to the Hub's own Wi-Fi.

Method 3 — Hub's Own Wi-Fi

Use this method to access the GRIT App directly through the Hub's projected Wi-Fi without connecting to an external network.

Step 1 — Connect to the Hub's Wi-Fi

Press the Hub display button until the QR code labeled "Connect to HUB WiFi" is visible. Either:

• Scan the QR code with your phone, or
• Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings and select the network that starts with "grithub-".

Step 2 — Enter the Hub Wi-Fi Password

Enter the password: gritautomation (all one word, all lowercase).

This moves your phone from your personal internet connection to the Hub's own Wi-Fi so you can access the GRIT App.

Step 3 — Open the GRIT App

Press the Hub display button again to show the GRIT App IP address and QR code. Either:

• Scan the QR code with your phone, or
• Manually enter the IP address into your device's native browser.

Important: Use Safari on iPhones and Chrome on Android devices.

Step 4 — Create Your Account

Complete the "Create Account" form. The optional 4-digit PIN can be used for quick future logins if you toggle that option to "Yes." Press "Continue" when finished.

Step 5 — Save the App to Your Home Screen

Save the GRIT App shortcut to your home screen for easy future access.

Note: This shortcut will only work when your phone is connected to the Hub's own Wi-Fi network.

Hub Button Access

The lock and unlock buttons on the Hub can be used to lock or unlock the entire shop. If the Hub is mounted in a location where physical button access poses a safety concern, button functionality can be disabled in the Admin section of the GRIT App.

Troubleshooting